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Sunday, May 15, 2016

Kevin Hanson Prop Fraud Revisited.

Note: I originally posted this on March 30, 2014. It need to be reposted, because Kevin Hanson continues to defraud people.

This
is about the FRAUD committed by Kevin Hanson, who runs The Trek Prop
Zone and Michael Moore of HMS. Together they have committed fraud and
passed off fake props as real ones. And, when confronted with proof,
have avoided owning up to it, proving their intent to defraud.SUMMARY:I
was sold two replica props as screen used by Kevin Hanson. He got them
from Michael Moore at HMS. I have not only Ironclad proof that they
are fake, but caught Michael Moore in a lie about where he got them
from.Kevin has refused to refund my money.
While I had not made any claims that he intentionally sold me these as
fakes, his refusal to refund my money, and his insistence of playing
games and defend Mike Moore in spite of the facts has changed my mind.Most importantly, Michael Moore continues to sell props claiming they are screen used and authenticating props. Now that he has been caught passing off replicas as real, every transaction he is party to is suspicious. This is a huge deal for this hobby and you need to be aware of this.FACTS:Kevin
sold me two Enterprise pistols, a Phase Pistol and an EM 33. They
turned out to be fake (ironclad proof). Kevin bought them from Michael
Moore, of HMS props who claimed they were real and he got them from the
propmaster on Enterprise. Not only are the items not from ISS, the only
maker of these Enterprise props, (the Phase Pistol is an HMS replica),
but I spoke to the prop master, Craig Binkley at length and he NEVER
gave anything to Mike Moore.

Kevin Hanson has refused to
ackownledge evidence that just about everyone who knows Star Trek props
agrees is ironclad. Thus I will be taking Kevin to small claims court.Alec

EVIDENCE PHASE PISTOL IS A REPLICA

According to Craig Binkley, the prop master for Enterprise:

ISS was the ONLY vendor for the Phase Pistol and EM33. In fact ISS did 99% of the props.

Craig NEVER gave Mike Moore any props.

This
Phase Pistol is a recast clearly and has aspects that closely match the
Rod.com kit, (produced by HMS). The tells are numerous and the
evidence is undeniable.

EVIDENCE

The
most obvious tell is the pour spout (or air vent) on the inside of the
Phase Pistol. This was NOT done in the original mold created to produce
the screen used props at ISS. However this same pour spout (or air
vent) can be seen on the Rod.com kit (produced by HMS). This is a clear
tell that the prop in question did not come form the original ISS
production molds. ISS (P9) vs Kevin recast (P10), which is identical to
Rod.com (P11)

P9 ISS

P10 Kevin Recast

P11 Rod.com

The
obvious drooping line in the mid section is also something that matches
none of the screen used props but does match the Rod.com kit (produced
By HMS). ISS (P1) (P2) (P3) (P4), VS Kevin recast (P5) (P6) (P7) (P8),
which is identical to Rod.com kit (P30) (P31).

P1 ISS

P2 ISS

P3 ISS

P4 ISS

P5 Kevin Recast

P6 Kevin Recast

P7 Kevin Recast

P8 Kevin Recast

The
Phase Pistol is painted the wrong colors (P12) which is identical to
Rod.com kit (P30), (P31). These are the colors recommended in the
Rod.com Phase Pistol kit instructions (P32). These are NOT the colors
that ISS painted the Phase Pistols and which were used on the show. See
screen used prop (P20).

P12 Kevin Recast

P30 Rod.com

P31 Rod.com

P20 Screen Used Phase Pistol

P32 Rod.com Phase Pistol Instructions

The
round portion on the bottom of the Phase pistol is painted a different
color. This is wrong. On screen used pieces it is the same as the body
(P20). This piece being painted the highlight color was also done for
the Rod.com kits (produced by HMS). (P30) (P31) and is noted in Rod.com
Phase Pistol kit instructions (P32).

The Phase Pistol is shorter due to it being recast from an ISS version (P13) (P14).

The Phase Pistol is cast in grey resin. The ISS Phase Pistols were cast in a white resin (P9) (P10).

The nozzle is a separate piece as on the Rod.com kit. On the ISS non-hero version it is part of the main body of the gun.

1/16th inch thick acrylic was used by ISS for the inserts. This gun uses 1/8th inch thick acrylic.

The vents where the acrylic goes are too wide. They are much narrower on the ISS version.

Tape
was used in the recasting to cover holes on the inside of the cowl.
This happens when recasting. The tape is clearly seen visible having
now left its impression in the casting. (P15)

P13

P14

P15

SUMMARY

The
only other place that used these colors, painted the bottom piece dark
rather than light, made the drooping inset line, and had a pour spout
inside the main body is on the HMS Phase Pistol Kit made for Rod.com.
This is a HMS replica, similar to a HMS Rod.com kit and there is no way
to deny that.

EM 33

This is not an ISS version. No other vendor created these. This is a replica.

CONCLUSION

Craig Binkley, the prop master has said that he never gave Michael Moore any props as Moore claims.

The Phase Pistol is an HMS replica. It was not in existence when Michael Moore claimed he was given it by the prop Master.

The
EM 33 is clearly a replica as well. And based on Mike's claims of the
Phase Pistol, his claims on the EM 33 are not credible.